Further speed restrictions and barriers are coming across the Eastern Freeway and other major Melbourne roads as works ramp up on the North East Link project.
The next stage will commence after the completion of two massive tunnel boring machines. A 137-tonne screw conveyor, the final piece, has arrived at the Watsonia digging site to help dig 6.5km of road tunnels.
Speed restrictions and barriers have already been rolled out along the Eastern Freeway between Burke and Bulleen roads and these will extend to Tram Road in the coming months.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allen says that when completed, North East Link will take 15,000 trucks off local roads.
“We’re not wasting a minute delivering this vital project that will get 15,000 trucks off local roads and slash travel times by 35 minutes,” she says.
“Whether it’s level crossing removals, building the Metro Tunnel or North East Link – we’re delivering the transport connections a growing Victoria needs.”
“From the ports in Melbourne to the suburbs in the north east, the final pieces of these massive machines are on site and ready for assembly ahead of tunnelling this year,” adds federal transport minister Catherine King.
“Not only is this incredible infrastructure project employing thousands during construction, it will leave a lasting legacy for road users and for Victoria well into the future.”
If you driven through Melbourne’s north-east, you will have seen the preparation work for the upcoming tunnelling works, with conveyer belts and sheds being installed to safely load dirt and rocks into trucks.
Worksites are being set up along the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road, with large areas of open space needed to upgrade the freeways to connect with the North East Link tunnels – cutting travel times by up to 35 minutes.
More than 5,000 workers are already working across North East Link, the Eastern Freeway Upgrade and M80 Ring Road completion. The federal government says 12,000 jobs will be created over the life of the projects before completion in 2028.